]]>Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:50:23 GMThttp://www.cottagecorp.com/cottage-corporation-blog-plastic-and-acrylic-fabrication/23-things-a-manufacturing-engineer-does-240-days-a-year​Manufacturing engineers are the key to the success of a product being made on time and with quality.

​They understand how the factory floor functions and how to work with product designers to insure the product is optimized for manufacturability. ​There is a lot of emphasis put into the design of a product, but the work that goes into manufacturing product is much different. Manufacturing Engineers are a vital part of the marketplace and the products we use daily. ​​On any given day a manufacturing engineer is expected to provide expertise in: manufacturing processes, quality tools, industrial engineering, automation technologies, design, lean, process development, and continuous improvement.

Here are 23 things a Manufacturing Engineer does every day at work:

Responsible for ensuring that manufacturing is carried out and that the end product is produced.

Focus on the design and operation to produce high-quality products.

Responsible for development, design, implementation, and monitoring of equipment, tools, and machinery used in the manufacturing process.

Understand engineering drawings to create plans and instructions.

Determine ways to make production more efficient and reliable, while reducing costs.

Detail exactly how to build products with the tools and machinery on the floor.

Mange hourly laborers, assist with questions, problems or issues with machinery or hardware.

Communicate manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, or other information to facilitate production processes.

Build cool stuff!

​Cottage Corporation provides customization through Fabrication and Manufacturing to Brands, Businesses, Consumers and various Industries by producing parts, products, components, displays, signage, fixtures, product placement programs and much more. Our minimum order is only $2,500 and we provide a wide range of services related to:

We also provide the following value adding services to customers:• Prototyping • Component Assembly• Kitting• Product Placement• Laser Engraving • Just-in-Time (JIT) Delivery• Short Runs• Long Runs• Our minimum order is only $2,500!

We utilize techniques such as solvent bonding, CNC cutting and milling, finishing and line bending, including one component, single or multiple bends and edge finishes such as flame and machine polishing. Our manufacturing capabilities allow us to produce prototypes and various volume runs and offer rush services.

Change is no stranger to any business, especially manufacturing.

Change is required and it is constantly evolving to meet customer needs and to stay ahead of changing markets. Discovering that there must be change shows other skills, such as leadership and communication that will benefit you in the long run, even if when telling your boss that need to change a process implemented by them.

How Do You Tell Your Boss The Process They Implemented Needs To Change? ​

Tell a story!

In business and manufacturing there will always be changes that are controversial or will receive push-back. New thoughts and ideas result in big benefits for the company. Tell the story of a past process change that was implemented and how the outcome benefited production, the company, the employees and its clients.

Present the new process with facts and proof that it works just like the last process change. Talk about the results of the last change and its tangible outcomes (increased productivity and/or profits).

Use quantifiable results whenever possible. It shows that you followed-up and were aware of the impact on the entire process. And remember change rarely occurs with just one person, be sure to share the credit and push-back will be minimal.

Changes Should Not Be Made To Be Incrementally Better; ​They Need To Move The Meter In A BIG WAY!

​Don’t be naive! Be ready for questions!

Rarely does something go off without a hitch. Be cognizant that proposals to a change in process may have already been explored and there are other factors at play as to why things are the way they are. If you’re going to be a catalyst for change, you need to make sure you are ready to answer these 10 questions on the fly:

Why do you think a change in the process is necessary in the first place?

What do you expect to happen because of this change of process?

What proof, data or experiments do you have to show changing the process is necessary?

How big of an impact will the change to the process have?

Will this process change come at the expense of something else?

What are the major steps to achieve a better outcome through the new process?

How long will it take to transition into this new process change?

Will work flow or production be halted? If yes, for how long? What will it effect?

How will this be process change be communicated to the workers, staff, shifts and clients?

Are there new skills our workers will need to learn to facilitate this new process?

Does the new process require new equipment?

​We dig deeper into the concerns and questions employees have about change throughout this article.​Take time and care when implementing a process change, especially one your boss implemented! Find balance between basking in the glory of a successful process change and constantly evaluating more areas for improvement. Do it right and you can increase your chances of success and buy in.

Create A Vision Of How Things Can Be Done Better, And Everyone Wins.​

This all sounds easy, but change is a tricky thing when applied in the real world. As a good leader who wants to implement changes to benefit the company or manufacturing floor this can be done much easier when you empower the employees. Here are 4 steps to empower your manufacturing employees to make changes themselves by focusing on the following:

1. Focus On The Process

Surface tough issues.

Pay attention to how things get done, manage context.

2. Problem-Solving Orientation

Don’t blame.

Fix systems not people.

3. Learning Environment

Lots of information and listening.

4. Shared Responsibility

Accountability and mutual contacts.

7 Uncomfortable Dynamics of Change

Feeling awkward, ill-at-ease and self-conscious.

Think about what they must give up rather than gain.

Feeling alone even if everyone else is going through the same thing.

There is only so much a person can handle when it comes to change.

Not everyone is ready for change, there different stages of readiness.

Concerned they don’t have enough resources or the right skills.

Once pressure is removed to change people will revert to old behavior.

Recognizing How Employees Respond To Change

It is important to understand how employees respond to change because change is not the exception, it's the norm. How employees embrace change also depends on severity and urgency, i.e., how much change is required and how quickly it needs to be implemented.

Incremental change is easier to initiate because it's gradual and usually proactive. It keeps employees on their toes and helps the organization learn.​Keep in mind when you introduce and start talking about change, employees will look at it from a position of loss. For some, it may be about loss of status or loss of control. In other cases you may be breaking contracts that have been formed with employees, such as being able to operate in an environment without metrics.

When talking to your employees about change it is important to be open and honest. Explain why and what the outcome of the process change will be. Tell them it's normal to be apprehensive and you need their help.

Positive To Negative Reactions To Change

Employees may lose their sense of security when changes arise. They may prefer the status quo. The range of reactions, when change is introduced, is immense and unpredictable. No employee is left unaffected by most changes. Even the most cooperative, supportive employees may experience resistance.

POSITIVE REACTIONS:

IdentityCompanies have identities that employees are comfortable with and have connect to; they are part of something, an insider, a sense of belonging. This forms their self-identity.

CommitmentSuccessful changes help employees feel motivated and are committed to achieving goals and realize a new vision for the organization.

CooperationIntroduce changes believing the employees will want to cooperate with, that the change will make their life better, and that they will be enthusiastic about.

SupportWhen employees see a collaborative and successful track record of successful changes they will strongly accept change and actively demonstrated their support by embracing the changes and new initiative.

AcceptanceEmployees don’t focus on what they have lost but what they will gain by accepting the changes. They are comfortable testing and exploring what the change means and how to adapt positively.

Neutrality – Base Line

NEGATIVE REACTIONS:

IndifferenceFirst you must recognize the indifference and if there is no desire to change. Can affect the employees attitude and behavior and will result in failures and mistakes, not caring.

ApathyEssential the feeling of not “feeling”. Lack of motivation or drive and there is only emotionless emotion. Employees aren’t sufficiently stimulated to do much of anything.

Foot DraggingExplosions of anger, slow movement, outbursts, feeling out of place, blocked and unworkable, leading to the thought that the old way was better.

Complaints By the time an employee brings a complaint forward, he or she most likely is angry. Most people want to avoid conflict. They most want to be acknowledged and heard. Never rushing to judgment and take sides, however to ignore a problem and assume it will go away is probably the worst thing you can do

AttackWhen our beliefs, workflow, process are changed it is seen as an attack on one’s self. We are wired to protect ourselves, so we tend to go on the attack. Employees are skeptical, and it harms the process of change.

SabotageEmployees will sabotage your initiatives. They have the skills, but not the right attitude. Change makes them feel threatened, and they are resentful.

Concerns & Questions ​Your Boss and Employees Have About Change

​INFORMATION: Employees don’t want to be sold or told. They want to understand.

What is the change?

Why is it needed?

What’s wrong with the way things are now?

How much and how fast does the organization need to change?

PERSONAL: People are uncertain; They wonder if they have the skills and resources; they feel threatened.

How will the change impact me personally?

What’s in it for me?

Will I win or lose?

Will I look good?

How will I find the time to implement it?

Will I have to learn new skills?

Can I do it?

IMPLEMENTATION: Employees focus on the details; they want to make the best use of information &resources

Is this the right time to do it?

What do I do first? Second? Third?

How do I manage all the details?

What happens if it doesn’t work?

How long will it take?

Is what we are experiencing typical?

How will the organization’s structure and systems change?

IMPACT: Employees are concerned about the payoff of the change;

Is the effort worth it?

Is the change making a difference?

Are we making progress?

Are things getting better or worse?

COLLABORATION: Employees are focused on cooperation with others and believing in the change.

Who else should be involved?

Are the right people involved?

How can we involve others in what we are doing?

How do we spread the word?

REFINEMENT: Employees want to focus on continuous improvement

How can we make the change even better?

Can we improve on our original idea?

8 TIPS ON LEADING THE CHANGE

The only way to get people on board and through the transition is to hold a series of change meetings with all the people on your team.

Talk to people in person.

Tell people the truth.

Express your feelings.

Involve everyone in planning.

Tell them the history of the change.

Break it into steps.

Take time.

Be patient.

Tips To Inform Your Employees About Change

>> Explain the Reasons for the Change Tell employees why the change is necessary and give them as much data as possible. Keep them informed of any new developments. >> Talk to Employees in Person Written announcements don't allow people to express their feelings directly. Talk to them in person, don’t avoid dealing with employee’s responses. Memos and newsletters are good as a follow-up after a one-on-one meeting.>> Tell Employees the Truth The more informed people are, the less anxious they will be. Unanswered questions are fuel for the rumor mill. You don't have to know all the answers. Solicit questions and try to find answers to the missing information. Schedule another meeting when you learn more and share that information as it becomes available. >> Express Your Feelings People want to know your reactions. They will feel acknowledged and understood and will be more open if your feelings are expressed. When appropriate, tell them how the change affects you personally. >> Take First Steps Encourage people to immediately take a step toward the new direction or the new skill.

Using yourself as an example, how did you react to hearing about a change? ​

How did you first hear about the change?

How were you informed?

How would you have preferred to be to be informed?

How could the announcement have been improved?

Follow these 5 steps To Prepare for Change:

>> Prepare your employees. Let them know what is happening ahead of time. Telling them too far ahead of time is not always better (for example, telling people 8 months before a change only leaves time for anxiety to build up). >> Describe the change as completely as you can. How do you see the change affecting individual employees and the work group as a whole? Identify who will be most affected and approach them first. >> Research what happened during the last change. Does your group have a positive history of their ability to manage change, or was the last change traumatic? Learn from past experience and let this background influence your current actions. >> Assess the organizational readiness of your team. Are they ready to undertake a change? An organization or group that isn't mentally and emotionally prepared will tend to stay in denial, rather than accept the change and move on. >> Don't make additional changes that aren't critical. People need all the stability they can get during change. Don't change the payroll dates, the working hours or cafeteria procedures when you are making large-scale organizational changes. Change the most important things one at a time.

WORKSHEET FOR EXCELLENT EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION ON CHANGE

1. Describe the change as completely as you can. State specifically how it will impact your employees, department/work unit and organization.

2. What is your vision of the best possible outcome?

3. What are the strengths of your group/work unit in undertaking this change?

4. What are the obstacles the change will bring to prevent you from reaching your goal?

5. List the Action Steps for:

Communication

Dealing with Resistance

Involvement

Leadership

6. What is your timetable for making this change?

Start

Finish

7. What new skills, knowledge and attitudes are needed to make this change?

Skills

Knowledge

Attitudes

8. How will you acknowledge, recognize and celebrate this change? 9. How will you create incentives to move toward change?

10. How will you reward yourselves for having led this change?

11. What is the cost of implementing this change (including costs in time, money, social status, etc.)?

12. What are the potential benefits, in both the short-and long run, for the organization and for individuals?

13. How will the change make life easier for people in the organization?

14. How much risk or uncertainty is involved?

15. Whom can you count on for support and opposition inside and outside the organization?

16. How easy is it to communicate what the change is all about?

17. How compatible is this change with the goals, values, and structure of the organization?

18. How complex are the changes that are involved?

19. Where did this idea come from? (It will help if someone else is already doing it or it was proposed by someone respected by employees in the organization.)

20. Can the change be tried out on a small scale first?​21. Can the change be modified without losing effectiveness?

THERE WILL BE MISTAKES

​There will be mistakes made when changes are made to a company or the manufacturing floor, but how you communicate them will be the key to maintaining employee involvement.

Each mistake represents a potential for learning.It is your job to focus employees on the learning aspect of the mistake.

Change in a process will affect your employees' job performance and is usually affected in direct proportion to the magnitude of the change. If the change is significant, it is safe to assume that job activities will not be accomplished at a normal rate. Factor this slowdown in your production expectations and scheduling.

Before, during and after change there are specific things employees want from their jobs. Make sure you provide as many of the following as possible:

Work that is interesting and/or meaningful.

A clear statement of the results you expect.

Appropriate and on-time feedback on those results.

A reward system for achieving results.

Cottage Corporation provides customization through Fabrication and Manufacturing to Brands, Businesses, Consumers and various Industries by producing parts, products, components, displays, signage, fixtures, product placement programs and much more. Our minimum order is only $2,500 and we provide a wide range of services related to:

We also provide the following value adding services to customers:•Prototyping •Component Assembly•Kitting•Product Placement•Laser Engraving •Just-in-Time (JIT) Delivery•Short Runs•Long Runs•Our minimum order is only $2,500!

We utilize techniques such as solvent bonding, CNC cutting and milling, finishing and line bending, including one component, single or multiple bends and edge finishes such as flame and machine polishing. Our manufacturing capabilities allow us to produce prototypes and various volume runs and offer rush services.

Give us a call! We are ready to work with you.www.cottagecorp.commail@cottagecorp.com(612) 722-9090

]]>Mon, 21 May 2018 14:52:21 GMThttp://www.cottagecorp.com/cottage-corporation-blog-plastic-and-acrylic-fabrication/what-is-the-1st-thing-you-notice-are-drawn-to-when-you-walk-into-a-storeIt started with a simple question we asked in a few LinkedIn Groups. The types of groups and their members were professionals in the Retail, Marketing and Sales industries. The question was:

​What is the 1st thing you notice, are drawn, to when you walk into a store?

When it comes to creating a high-converting store there's a lot to consider ensuring that the consumers experience is successful. Based on 334 answers from all over the globe, with more comments posting hourly, this simple question generated data and findings that may surprise or confirm what you already knew. We wanted to share this data with you as a resource to apply towards your store initiatives and planning.We featured the top 7 areas captured from 253 people that gave 334 things they immediately notice upon walking into a store. Use this sampling to identify where emphasis should be placed to enhance your consumers experience and yield higher products sales. ​​

#1 MERCHANDISE DISPLAY

87 people said Merchandise Displays are the first thing they noticed when walking into a store. This is great news since this is what is used to attract and entice the buying public.They are predicated on basic principles designed to increase product purchases. So, if this is the #1 thing people notice and like then you should focus a large majority of your efforts to your displays. As Shopify explains: When walking into a typical retail store, you'll likely notice tidy, curated product displays that visually highlight their items for sale. Those products aren't arranged that way by accident — the merchant is using visual merchandising best practices to help the products sell themselves.http://bit.ly/1U3XG6I

#2 LIGHTING

56 said the store’s Lighting is the first thing they noticed when walking into a store. Generally lighting is an afterthought, however being 2nd on this list, lighting proves to provide simple ambiance. This basic utility can also impact your sales and customer experience. Lighting can help guide customers through your store, and increase the average spend per customer.In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” — Aaron Rose, photographer​

#3 AMBIANCE

45 people said the store’s Ambiance is the first thing they noticed when walking into a store. The role that store atmosphere plays in its success is huge. Customers not only care about how a store looks and feels, it is a direct contributor to customer experience, which is the most important element of retail today. Maintaining a clean, orderly store by eliminating clutter around the cash register or on the floor and dusting are simple ways to keep up with your stores ambiance.

#4 LAYOUT

38 people the store’s Layout is the first thing they noticed when walking into a store. Store layout plays an important role in enhancing your brand by creating a memorable customer experience. Layout is used to influence a customer's behavior by designing the store's flow, merchandise placement and ambiance as well as the prevention of shoplifting and logistics. The easier it is for customers to locate and interact with merchandise, the more likely they are to purchase.

#5 CLEANLINESS

24 people said the store’s Cleanliness is the first thing they noticed when walking into a store. Cleanliness plays a more Important role than you might think in the purchasing decision. Customers notice most "merchandising" between their shoulders and knees, so it is important to make those areas a priority of cleanliness. If you have public restrooms, keep them sanitary and clean the windows and mirrors frequently to keep them free of dirt, sticky hand-prints and streaks. 80% of a customer's buying decision happens in a fitting room, keeping them clutter free and clean are a simple way to make the purchasing decision easy. ​

#6 SMELL

​21 people said the store’s Smell is the first thing they noticed when walking into a store. Does your store "smell clean"?Customers will assume of whether a store is clean based on what they smell. The combination of visual, tactile, and intangible elements in a physical retail space is so important because these factors can influence shopper. Human beings can remember about 10,000 distinct odors that can trigger important memories that can take us all the way back to our childhood. "Men don't like to stick around when it smells feminine, and women don't linger in a store if it smells masculine."

#7 WELCOMING

​19 people said being Welcomed and having a Welcoming experience is the first thing they noticed when walking into a store. Feeling important and welcome are two of our most basic needs. Being genuine and sincere when you greet customers can either positively enhance the customer's experience or turn them off. Finding their way around your store or looking for an employee to answer questions can be intimidating. Good customer service and a warm welcome can convince a shopper to make a purchase, feel welcome, stay longer and return to shop again.

* Window displays can drive new customers into your store. People are visual, thus showcasing your premium goods, in a clean and eye-catching way can influence foot traffic.

*When customers enter a store, they move counter clockwise. This means that the premium real estate for your highest profiting products should be just to the right of the door.

* By placing your most profitable goods at eye-level, you will increase your chances that the shopper will choose that item by an additional 35%!

* Shopping is a full sensory experience. From the smell of fresh out of the oven cookies to the feel of a cozy sweater – every vertical can capitalize on the shoppers’ sensory experience to boost sales.

*65% of shoppers turn to stores for shopping so they can feel, touch, and see products before they purchase.

*Music that relates to your buyer demographic and gives your brand an audio identity will influence not just how a shopper perceives your brand, but will also influence how long they spend in your store and make lines feel much shorter.

Acrylic plastic belongs to a group of synthetic materials which contain one or more acrylic acid derivatives. Polymethyl methacrylate (PNMA) is the most common form of acrylic plastic and it is sold under brand names such as Plexiglas, Crystallite, Perspex, and Lucite.

PNMA is a strong, highly translucent material that provides exceptional resistance to UV radiation and weathering. Its ability to be molded, drilled, cut, formed, and colored makes PNMA an ideal material for applications that cut across different industries. From outdoor signs and automobile taillights to skylights and airplane windshields, PNMA as an acrylic plastic is an invaluable material.

The ability of acrylic to seamlessly replace glass is another big property. Although it is especially used for regular products such as signs, lenses, and sales displays, it can also be used for more demanding projects such as the construction of fiber optics, in flat screen televisions and windows in submarines. However, it would take only the best technicians and manufacturers to get the best out of acrylic materials.

With a desire to consistently provide world class products for our valued clients, Cottage Corporation has been in the business of manufacturing award winning acrylic plastic products for over 40 years. We are a well-equipped acrylic fabrication service that provides superior products at the lowest cost possible. As experts in the plastic fabrication industry, our well-grounded reputation rests not only upon top quality craftsmanship, but our ability to understand your specific needs and tailor our manufacturing process to satisfy your desire.

As an extremely versatile material, acrylic has been used for both personal and commercial purposes. We understand that your need may be personal, hence, we do not require any minimum orders to work with you. From Plexiglas display cases to fixtures, bins, cubes, boxes, accessories, jewelry displays, and so much more, you can rest assured of unrivaled quality that easily scales through best standard practices. We provide prototypes within 24 hours of your request – and you can rest assured of fast turnaround when you make your decision.

Are you in need of retail displays, shelves or risers? Do you need medical and restaurant supplies for your office? No worries! We can make anything out of acrylic. We understand the need for a flexible and consistent acrylic product. We understand your need for simple, easy to set up fixtures. For this reason, we stop at nothing to ensure your request is well taken care of.​With a perfect blend of extraordinary strength and visually appealing beauty, acrylic plastics are widely attractive as a result of their malleability. Cottage Corporation takes advantage of this property to produce flexible, mobile, and trendy designs – for your specific need. The ease of processing, outstanding clarity, and mobility of our products makes us our service unique. Indeed, Cottage Corporation has a solution to meet even the most demanding acrylic plastic needs.

Yes acrylic can withstand heat and must be heated in order to mold its shape, otherwise it will crack and break into pieces. Acrylic is only flammable at certain temperatures so heating by open flame is not recommended, and other methods of heating may cause it to adhere to the heating device itself.

Acrylic can be heated continuously in a temperature range of 170-190°F. It begins to soften between 210-220°F and starts to melt between 300-315°F. An acrylic sheet can withstand temperatures down to -20°F without noticeable changes in properties.

Acrylic can be easily heated and formed to any desired shape. Simple bends can be made by heating the bend point with a wire heater. Products with multiple pieces are joined together using solvents that melt each surface and result in a barely visible joint.

Because acrylic vaporizes upon impact with laser cutting technology it is a highly desirable choice for projects which require extremely fine cut shapes. Generally after laser cutting acrylic, the parts need to be polished to remove tool marks and restore it’s optical clarity.

About Cottage Corporation:

Our reputation after 40 years is strong and we are proud to remain consistent with our core offerings and services that matter most to our customers which are:

To always be the most cost effective in the industry.To always ship on time for any type and size of project.To always provide an extremely fast turnaround from start to finishTo always output the best quality product.

What matters most to us are the close relationships we have retained with our customers. We are proud to work by their side, listen to their needs and provide guidance so together we can produce award winning products.

Give us a call! Let's Connect and grow your business with acrylic sheets and products.

ACRYLIC is very inexpensive and stands up to heat, exposure to weather and sunlight. POLYCARBONATE is extremely impact resistant and nearly impossible to shatter. It is even bulletproof when used in thick layers. They look very similar, so how can you tell them apart? Let's put these two plastics the test:

CAN YOU FLEX IT?

If you can not flex it in normal temperature, it is ACRYLIC.

If you can flex it, then it is POLYCARBONATE.

IS IT CLEAR?

ACRYLIC is clear and when heat polished it becomes shiny.

POLYCARBONATE will yellow when exposed to sunlight.

​

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU APPLY HEAT?

ACRYLIC will clear up immediately clears like it has been polished when heat is applied.

POLYCARBONATE carbonate will melt when heat is applied.

​

DOES IT SCRATCH?

If it does not scratch easily it is ACRYLIC.

If it scratches instantly it is POLYCARBONATE.

​

DOES IT SHATTER?

If it shatters or cracks it is ACRYLIC.

If it flexes and remains solid it is POLYCARBONATE.

About Cottage Corporation:

Our reputation after 40 years is strong and we are proud to remain consistent with our core offerings and services that matter most to our customers which are:

To always be the most cost effective in the industry.

To always ship on time for any type and size of project.

To always provide an extremely fast turnaround from start to finish

To always output the best quality product.

What matters most to us are the close relationships we have retained with our customers. We are proud to work by their side, listen to their needs and provide guidance so together we can produce award winning products.

Give us a call! Let's Connect and grow your business with acrylic sheets and products.

Understand the differences between Acrylic, Plexiglas and Plastic can be confusing, however we are certain after you read this article you will be well versed in the differences. You will find a variety of terms used to describe acrylic sheets. Not knowing the difference between the terms can pose problems and confusion for the outcome of your project.

Acrylic is a thermoplastic and is one form “plastic”. The chemical name for acrylic is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA was invented in 1933 by Otto Röhm, the founder of the plastics company Röhm and Haas.There are many different grades and types of plastic, all with their specific properties and uses. Acrylic is used in applications that require:Acrylic sheets are:

Easy to glue

Good for milling

Bending

Hot forming

Less expensive

Stands up to heat, weather and sunlight

Plexiglas is simply a different type of Acrylic. In its basic design it is completely colorless with exceptional optical properties and it can be colored in an array of colors. Today PMMA or “plexiglass” is sold under many different names, including Acrylite, Lucite and Perspex.

The biggest difference between Plexiglas and Acrylic is the way they are manufactured. Acrylic is either extruded or cell cast while Plexiglas is only cell casted. Cell cast acrylic is more expensive but it is harder than extruded acrylic. It will not scratch and has fewer impurities such as ripples or specks.

​Plastic is a Polymer and is mixed with additives. A polymer is a large molecule composed of many small identical molecules bound together to form a long chain called monomers. A variety of plastics can be created for many different uses by simply varying the additives used, the nature of the monomers and the length of the polymer chain.

Plastics are either a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer:

Thermoplastics are plastics that after being formed can be melted down again and re-used.

Thermosetting polymers, however cannot be melted down again after curing without its chemical structure being destroyed.

About Cottage Corporation:

Our reputation after 40 years is strong and we are proud to remain consistent with our core offerings and services that matter most to our customers which are:

To always be the most cost effective in the industry.

To always ship on time for any type and size of project.

To always provide an extremely fast turnaround from start to finish

To always output the best quality product.

What matters most to us are the close relationships we have retained with our customers. We are proud to work by their side, listen to their needs and provide guidance so together we can produce award winning products.

Give us a call! Let's Connect and grow your business with acrylic sheets and products.